SB1518: Charitable gaming; amends definition of Texas Hold'em poker tournaments, bingo games.

Legislative Summary

Charitable gaming; Texas Hold'em poker tournaments. Amends the definition of "Texas Hold'em poker tournament" to include an organized competition of players who (i) pay an initial seating fee for entry into the competition and an additional seating fee up to once every 30 minutes, thereby allowing such players to purchase additional poker chips as needed for use in the competition, and (ii) may be seated at no more than 4 tables consisting of 10 players each simultaneously playing Texas Hold'em poker games. The bill prohibits a qualified organization from charging any initial or additional seating fee in excess of $8 for the conduct of any such Texas Hold'em poker tournament and requires qualified organizations to hire a security officer that is licensed by the Department of Criminal Justice Services to be present during the times that any tournament is being played. The bill also requires any qualified organization that conducts any Texas Hold'em poker tournament to use at least 30 percent of its gross receipts from the conduct of Texas Hold'em poker tournaments for (a) those lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational purposes for which the organization is specifically chartered or organized or (b) those expenses related to the acquisition, construction, maintenance, or repair of any interest in real property involved in the operation of the organization and used for lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational purposes. This bill requires any qualified organization that conducts any Texas Hold'em poker tournament to certify that any individual acting as a dealer is 21 years of age or older and defines the required knowledge and skill for such individuals. The bill also requires any qualified organization that conducts any Texas Hold'em poker tournament to appoint a game manager and post a sign in a conspicuous location at the place where the organization collects of money for chips or seating fees, stating that the game manager is present and outlining the game manager's responsibilities. Charitable gaming; Texas Hold'em poker tournaments. Amends the definition of "Texas Hold'em poker tournament" to include an organized competition of players who (i) pay an initial seating fee for entry into the competition and an additional seating fee up to once every 30 minutes, thereby allowing such players to purchase additional poker chips as needed for use in the competition, and (ii) may be seated at no more than 4 tables consisting of 10 players each simultaneously playing Texas Hold'em poker games. The bill prohibits a qualified organization from charging any initial or additional seating fee in excess of $8 for the conduct of any such Texas Hold'em poker tournament and requires qualified organizations to hire a security officer that is licensed by the Department of Criminal Justice Services to be present during the times that any tournament is being played. The bill also requires any qualified organization that conducts any Texas Hold'em poker tournament to use at least 30 percent of its gross receipts from the conduct of Texas Hold'em poker tournaments for (a) those lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational purposes for which the organization is specifically chartered or organized or (b) those expenses related to the acquisition, construction, maintenance, or repair of any interest in real property involved in the operation of the organization and used for lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational purposes. This bill requires any qualified organization that conducts any Texas Hold'em poker tournament to certify that any individual acting as a dealer is 21 years of age or older and defines the required knowledge and skill for such individuals. The bill also requires any qualified organization that conducts any Texas Hold'em poker tournament to appoint a game manager and post a sign in a conspicuous location at the place where the organization collects of money for chips or seating fees, stating that the game manager is present and outlining the game manager's responsibilities.